Visitation is 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, March 4, at Fenton Funeral Chapel in Centralia, Mo., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. and a graveside service and burial at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Centralia. Lunch will be served thereafter, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Centralia.

Mrs. Schlemmer was born July 4, 1930, in Kankakee, Ill., the daughter of George and Della Hemp of Ashkum, Ill. On Nov. 18, 1951 she married Donald H. Schlemmer in Ashkum.

In 1951, Mrs. Schlemmer graduated from St. Mary's School of Nursing in Champaign-Urbana, Ill. She practiced as a registered nurse for many years in Illinois, as well as farm with her husband in Illinois and Missouri.

In the early part of her life, Mrs. Schlemmer was an active member of the Catholic Church, Illinois Nurses Association, and engaged in ongoing school district functions. She was part of a medical team in the 1960s who developed emergency medical protocols in Illinois. She was talented at art, gardening, canning, sewing, ceramics, rug-making, cake decorating, cooking, home decorating, baking, holiday celebrations; coordinating school, church, and nursing association events, and helping her neighbors and aging family members have better health. She loved celebrating the holidays with her family, friends, and neighbors.

Throughout her life she enjoyed polka dancing with her husband in Chicago when younger, and country dancing in Columbia when older.

Later in life she enjoyed many years taking care of her grandchildren.

Her professional nursing and medical friends described her as an excellent nurse, so compassionate with patients, who loved nursing and making a difference for others.

She valued faith, family, and friends. She loved animals and flowers.

Other survivors include a daughter, Betty Jean Schlemmer of Tacoma, Wash.; two grandchildren, Jacob Schlemmer of Dover, Del. and Rachael Schlemmer Merten of Slinger, Wis.; and a brother, Donald Hemp of Watseka, Ill.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband, and son (John D. Schlemmer).